Seeing People
The other day I was eating a late breakfast at a restaurant in Roseville. I had some extra time so I decided to stop and have a waffle. There was a woman standing outside the hotel next door and she seemed a little out of place. I could watch her from where I was sitting and she seemed to be waiting for someone. She kept looking toward the street as if she was expecting a friend to arrive at any moment. She fidgeted back and forth and seemed uncomfortable about being out in the open.
The reason she stood out to me was because she had some very unusual clothing on. It was a cold morning and she was wearing only a light coat which was very brightly colored. She was a somewhat large woman and her clothing didn’t seem to fit correctly. I noticed no suitcase or bag to indicate that she was leaving the hotel or had just arrived. After reading the newspaper for a while I noticed the woman once again. This time she had taken off the coat to reveal a bright blouse that obviously was designed to draw attention. It finally dawned on me that this woman was trying to attract attention. She had purposely dressed the way she did and stood in an obvious place to be seen by those passing by in their cars.
The reason she stood out to me was because she had some very unusual clothing on. It was a cold morning and she was wearing only a light coat which was very brightly colored. She was a somewhat large woman and her clothing didn’t seem to fit correctly. I noticed no suitcase or bag to indicate that she was leaving the hotel or had just arrived. After reading the newspaper for a while I noticed the woman once again. This time she had taken off the coat to reveal a bright blouse that obviously was designed to draw attention. It finally dawned on me that this woman was trying to attract attention. She had purposely dressed the way she did and stood in an obvious place to be seen by those passing by in their cars.
A few days later I was at Costco buying some food. As I was walking back to my truck with a cart full of food a woman passed me. She seemed a little distressed. A few minutes later she approached me at my truck and shared that she was traveling home to Marysville, but was out of gas and wondered if I could help her get home. She seemed very genuine, so I asked her to follow me to the gas station next door where she filled her tank. I asked her if she had eaten that day and she said ‘no’, so I slipped her a few dollars. She began to cry. As she left she said, ‘May God bless you’. I watched her drive off.
One of the things I admire about Jesus was His ability to see people. Sometimes I get so busy doing life that I miss seeing people! Jesus loved the prostitutes and the poor. They were a mainstay in His audiences. Mary Magdalene was a ‘lady of the night’ that became one of Jesus’ best friends and most loyal followers. She was at the cross and at the tomb that first Easter Sunday morning. Jesus loved the down and outers of His time. He saw them, gave them a helping hand, and offered them the hope of His kingdom. I admire that quality.
Jesus’ mission on this earth was ‘to seek and to save that which is lost.’ He saw the lost; He sought them out and ministered to them. He was never too busy to meet some of their needs. He knew their condition and accepted them as they were. He never thumbed His nose at them or demeaned them for their poor and sinful condition. He looked beyond their personal appearance or situation and saw their souls. He felt compassion and worked hard to offer the true solution to their needs, Himself.
Last month we focused on the baby in the Christmas manger, the God of the universe. That baby was the incarnate Son of God, full deity in bodily form. He could have come to condemn the prostitute, to ridicule the poor. He could have only fellowshipped with the prestigious or royalty. But He didn’t. He reached out to the woman outside the restaurant window, to the lady in need of gas to get home. His heart was touched by their need. I wish I was more like
that, looking past people’s condition and wrong choices to care for their soul. I wish I saw past the moment and saw life as He did. The baby in the manger reminds me of the simplicity of life: Love God, love others, all others. It’s really that simple.
As you enter 2014, love those you are with, no matter who that might be. Love those in-laws, those co-workers, those extended family members, those neighbors, those strangers. Look past their immediate condition and see them! Then, as God prompts and provides, reach out and engage them; talk to them, care for them. It may be a kind word is all that is needed, or a note in the mail, a couple of bucks, or just a few gallons of gas. The baby in the manger is our example of love, kindness, and generosity to the unlovely or desperate. Let’s follow His lead and represent Him well this New Year.
I love being your Pastor… see you on Sunday.
Phil
